"The consummate teacher and Judge Frankie" Oct. 1, 1915 - Nov. 23, 2007 The Honorable Frankie Bradley Ledbetter, professor and municipal court judge, passed away on November 23, 2007 at the age of 92 in Houston, Texas.
A legend in the City of Prairie View and the consummate professor of English at Prairie View A & M University (Prairie View A&M) for more than 33 years, Mrs. Ledbetter was highly regarded as a teacher of teachers.
She was the eighth of ten children born to John Jenkins Bradley and Delsey Elizabeth Bradley in Alto, Texas. She passed away at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital with her daughter Beverly by her side on Friday, November 23, 2007.
Mrs. Ledbetter was a graduate of Dunbar High School in Lufkin Texas and Bishop College in Dallas, Texas. It was during her early teaching career in Lubbock, Texas that Frankie met and married Army Sergeant John Fruntis Ledbetter in 1942 and to that union, which lasted 64 years, two children were born, Beverly E. and Michael Brett.
Early in their careers, Frankie and John both taught at the high school in Livingston, Texas where she also coached the girls basketball team. Mrs. Ledbetter earned her degrees in English and Literature from Bishop College and the University of Colorado.
During her Prairie View A&M tenure as a member of the faculty of the Department of English, she was renowned for her exceptionally high standards and expectations. Yet, her caring personality and devotion to excellence, however, endeared her to many students, faculty and staff over the years. Many regarded her as the sage of the English Department.
During her illustrious career at Prairie View AMU, Mrs. Ledbetter served as an associate professor of English, interim head of the English Department, and was the first elected Chairman of the newly sanctioned Faculty Senate at the University. She headed the committee that developed the Senate's Constitution and By-laws and served on the President's cabinet.
Mrs. Ledbetter retired in 1985 from the teaching profession and exchanged her academic robe for a judge's robe when she was named the first female municipal-court judge in Prairie View, Texas. An article in the Chronicle of Higher Education in 2004 carried the story of the transition. She was forthright, strict, and humorous in her approach to adjudicating traffic violations and misdemeanors which earned her comparisons to Judge Judy.
Mrs. Ledbetter was a faithful and active member of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View having served as a Licensed Lay and Eucharistic Minister, member of the M. E. Suarez Altar Guild, the Vestry, and the Hospitality, Building and Stewardship Committees.
She was also a loyal member of the Zeta Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Prairie View Athletic Club, the Prairie View Chamber of Commerce, the Texas State Teachers Association and the Prairie View Retired Teachers Association, Anne Preston Unit, and the Waller County Historical Society.
Often described by her admirers as a "Living Legend," she received numerous honors, awards, and accolades for her community and college service, including the Prairie View A&M Faculty Recognition Award for being an exemplary role model for future teachers and students.
Known by countless English teachers across the state of Texas, Professor Ledbetter supervised student teachers of English in the field throughout the state. Her passing truly marks "the end of an era" for many generations of Prairie View graduates in whom she instilled both appreciation and love for the written word.
For one so accomplished, she remarkably had a vast reserve of energy for both people and causes unheralded. She was the first to volunteer and the last to leave. Everyone knew to call Frankie as she would most assuredly respond. Shortly after suffering a heart attack in August of 2006, she resumed her duties as a judge. Despite several health setbacks she continued to serve through the spring of 2007.
Frankie was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband of 64 years John and her son Michael Brett.
Complete obituary published in Houston Chronicle on November 29, 2007
A legend in the City of Prairie View and the consummate professor of English at Prairie View A & M University (Prairie View A&M) for more than 33 years, Mrs. Ledbetter was highly regarded as a teacher of teachers.
She was the eighth of ten children born to John Jenkins Bradley and Delsey Elizabeth Bradley in Alto, Texas. She passed away at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital with her daughter Beverly by her side on Friday, November 23, 2007.
Mrs. Ledbetter was a graduate of Dunbar High School in Lufkin Texas and Bishop College in Dallas, Texas. It was during her early teaching career in Lubbock, Texas that Frankie met and married Army Sergeant John Fruntis Ledbetter in 1942 and to that union, which lasted 64 years, two children were born, Beverly E. and Michael Brett.
Early in their careers, Frankie and John both taught at the high school in Livingston, Texas where she also coached the girls basketball team. Mrs. Ledbetter earned her degrees in English and Literature from Bishop College and the University of Colorado.
During her Prairie View A&M tenure as a member of the faculty of the Department of English, she was renowned for her exceptionally high standards and expectations. Yet, her caring personality and devotion to excellence, however, endeared her to many students, faculty and staff over the years. Many regarded her as the sage of the English Department.
During her illustrious career at Prairie View AMU, Mrs. Ledbetter served as an associate professor of English, interim head of the English Department, and was the first elected Chairman of the newly sanctioned Faculty Senate at the University. She headed the committee that developed the Senate's Constitution and By-laws and served on the President's cabinet.
Mrs. Ledbetter retired in 1985 from the teaching profession and exchanged her academic robe for a judge's robe when she was named the first female municipal-court judge in Prairie View, Texas. An article in the Chronicle of Higher Education in 2004 carried the story of the transition. She was forthright, strict, and humorous in her approach to adjudicating traffic violations and misdemeanors which earned her comparisons to Judge Judy.
Mrs. Ledbetter was a faithful and active member of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View having served as a Licensed Lay and Eucharistic Minister, member of the M. E. Suarez Altar Guild, the Vestry, and the Hospitality, Building and Stewardship Committees.
She was also a loyal member of the Zeta Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Prairie View Athletic Club, the Prairie View Chamber of Commerce, the Texas State Teachers Association and the Prairie View Retired Teachers Association, Anne Preston Unit, and the Waller County Historical Society.
Often described by her admirers as a "Living Legend," she received numerous honors, awards, and accolades for her community and college service, including the Prairie View A&M Faculty Recognition Award for being an exemplary role model for future teachers and students.
Known by countless English teachers across the state of Texas, Professor Ledbetter supervised student teachers of English in the field throughout the state. Her passing truly marks "the end of an era" for many generations of Prairie View graduates in whom she instilled both appreciation and love for the written word.
For one so accomplished, she remarkably had a vast reserve of energy for both people and causes unheralded. She was the first to volunteer and the last to leave. Everyone knew to call Frankie as she would most assuredly respond. Shortly after suffering a heart attack in August of 2006, she resumed her duties as a judge. Despite several health setbacks she continued to serve through the spring of 2007.
Frankie was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband of 64 years John and her son Michael Brett.
Complete obituary published in Houston Chronicle on November 29, 2007
"The consummate teacher and Judge Frankie" Oct. 1, 1915 - Nov. 23, 2007 The Honorable Frankie Bradley Ledbetter, professor and municipal court judge, passed away on November 23, 2007 at the age of 92 in Houston, Texas.
A legend in the City of Prairie View and the consummate professor of English at Prairie View A & M University (Prairie View A&M) for more than 33 years, Mrs. Ledbetter was highly regarded as a teacher of teachers.
She was the eighth of ten children born to John Jenkins Bradley and Delsey Elizabeth Bradley in Alto, Texas. She passed away at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital with her daughter Beverly by her side on Friday, November 23, 2007.
Mrs. Ledbetter was a graduate of Dunbar High School in Lufkin Texas and Bishop College in Dallas, Texas. It was during her early teaching career in Lubbock, Texas that Frankie met and married Army Sergeant John Fruntis Ledbetter in 1942 and to that union, which lasted 64 years, two children were born, Beverly E. and Michael Brett.
Early in their careers, Frankie and John both taught at the high school in Livingston, Texas where she also coached the girls basketball team. Mrs. Ledbetter earned her degrees in English and Literature from Bishop College and the University of Colorado.
During her Prairie View A&M tenure as a member of the faculty of the Department of English, she was renowned for her exceptionally high standards and expectations. Yet, her caring personality and devotion to excellence, however, endeared her to many students, faculty and staff over the years. Many regarded her as the sage of the English Department.
During her illustrious career at Prairie View AMU, Mrs. Ledbetter served as an associate professor of English, interim head of the English Department, and was the first elected Chairman of the newly sanctioned Faculty Senate at the University. She headed the committee that developed the Senate's Constitution and By-laws and served on the President's cabinet.
Mrs. Ledbetter retired in 1985 from the teaching profession and exchanged her academic robe for a judge's robe when she was named the first female municipal-court judge in Prairie View, Texas. An article in the Chronicle of Higher Education in 2004 carried the story of the transition. She was forthright, strict, and humorous in her approach to adjudicating traffic violations and misdemeanors which earned her comparisons to Judge Judy.
Mrs. Ledbetter was a faithful and active member of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View having served as a Licensed Lay and Eucharistic Minister, member of the M. E. Suarez Altar Guild, the Vestry, and the Hospitality, Building and Stewardship Committees.
She was also a loyal member of the Zeta Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Prairie View Athletic Club, the Prairie View Chamber of Commerce, the Texas State Teachers Association and the Prairie View Retired Teachers Association, Anne Preston Unit, and the Waller County Historical Society.
Often described by her admirers as a "Living Legend," she received numerous honors, awards, and accolades for her community and college service, including the Prairie View A&M Faculty Recognition Award for being an exemplary role model for future teachers and students.
Known by countless English teachers across the state of Texas, Professor Ledbetter supervised student teachers of English in the field throughout the state. Her passing truly marks "the end of an era" for many generations of Prairie View graduates in whom she instilled both appreciation and love for the written word.
For one so accomplished, she remarkably had a vast reserve of energy for both people and causes unheralded. She was the first to volunteer and the last to leave. Everyone knew to call Frankie as she would most assuredly respond. Shortly after suffering a heart attack in August of 2006, she resumed her duties as a judge. Despite several health setbacks she continued to serve through the spring of 2007.
Frankie was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband of 64 years John and her son Michael Brett.
Complete obituary published in Houston Chronicle on November 29, 2007
A legend in the City of Prairie View and the consummate professor of English at Prairie View A & M University (Prairie View A&M) for more than 33 years, Mrs. Ledbetter was highly regarded as a teacher of teachers.
She was the eighth of ten children born to John Jenkins Bradley and Delsey Elizabeth Bradley in Alto, Texas. She passed away at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital with her daughter Beverly by her side on Friday, November 23, 2007.
Mrs. Ledbetter was a graduate of Dunbar High School in Lufkin Texas and Bishop College in Dallas, Texas. It was during her early teaching career in Lubbock, Texas that Frankie met and married Army Sergeant John Fruntis Ledbetter in 1942 and to that union, which lasted 64 years, two children were born, Beverly E. and Michael Brett.
Early in their careers, Frankie and John both taught at the high school in Livingston, Texas where she also coached the girls basketball team. Mrs. Ledbetter earned her degrees in English and Literature from Bishop College and the University of Colorado.
During her Prairie View A&M tenure as a member of the faculty of the Department of English, she was renowned for her exceptionally high standards and expectations. Yet, her caring personality and devotion to excellence, however, endeared her to many students, faculty and staff over the years. Many regarded her as the sage of the English Department.
During her illustrious career at Prairie View AMU, Mrs. Ledbetter served as an associate professor of English, interim head of the English Department, and was the first elected Chairman of the newly sanctioned Faculty Senate at the University. She headed the committee that developed the Senate's Constitution and By-laws and served on the President's cabinet.
Mrs. Ledbetter retired in 1985 from the teaching profession and exchanged her academic robe for a judge's robe when she was named the first female municipal-court judge in Prairie View, Texas. An article in the Chronicle of Higher Education in 2004 carried the story of the transition. She was forthright, strict, and humorous in her approach to adjudicating traffic violations and misdemeanors which earned her comparisons to Judge Judy.
Mrs. Ledbetter was a faithful and active member of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View having served as a Licensed Lay and Eucharistic Minister, member of the M. E. Suarez Altar Guild, the Vestry, and the Hospitality, Building and Stewardship Committees.
She was also a loyal member of the Zeta Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Prairie View Athletic Club, the Prairie View Chamber of Commerce, the Texas State Teachers Association and the Prairie View Retired Teachers Association, Anne Preston Unit, and the Waller County Historical Society.
Often described by her admirers as a "Living Legend," she received numerous honors, awards, and accolades for her community and college service, including the Prairie View A&M Faculty Recognition Award for being an exemplary role model for future teachers and students.
Known by countless English teachers across the state of Texas, Professor Ledbetter supervised student teachers of English in the field throughout the state. Her passing truly marks "the end of an era" for many generations of Prairie View graduates in whom she instilled both appreciation and love for the written word.
For one so accomplished, she remarkably had a vast reserve of energy for both people and causes unheralded. She was the first to volunteer and the last to leave. Everyone knew to call Frankie as she would most assuredly respond. Shortly after suffering a heart attack in August of 2006, she resumed her duties as a judge. Despite several health setbacks she continued to serve through the spring of 2007.
Frankie was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband of 64 years John and her son Michael Brett.
Complete obituary published in Houston Chronicle on November 29, 2007
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